KVE introduces the most efficient assembly technology for carbon reinforced thermoplastic laminates available to date:  KVE Induct welding technology.

Increasingly high performance engineering thermoplastics like PEEK, PEKK, PPS and PEI are combined with continuous carbon fiber reinforcements. This is the case especially in the aerospace industry, but also medical, automotive and power industries are turning to these materials. The available assembly technologies like mechanical fastening and adhesive bonding are frequently used, but for composites they are not necessary optimal. The KVE Induct technology is both mechanical and cost wise very well suited to assemble carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic laminate (CF RTL) components.

KVE Induct technology generates Eddy currents in the electrically conductive carbon fiber of the thermoplastic laminate. These Eddy currents are generated by moving a coil over the weld line and the Eddy currents in their turn heat up the laminate from the inside. This is a very efficient way to melt the thermoplastic matrix and weld two parts together. The two parts are positioned in special tooling material, which is both ‘transparant’ for the EM field and has a reasonable thermal conductivity.

KVE Induct technology lets you control, automate and decrease assembly costs of your CF RTL components.

The movement of the coil along the weld line can be achieved by commercially available systems like for example an industrial robot. Material handling (parts, final component) can be setup as manual labour in case of low volume manufacturing, or automated in case of high volume manufacturing

All process parameters which are influencing the quality of the induction weld can be controlled and monitored.

Direct comparison of induction welding to other available assembly technologies for CF RTL shows
The option of assembling a component from many small parts in stead of manufacturing this component in one complex step give new and cost saving possibilities to the product designer.
Retaining the mechanical properties of CF RTL, the assembling technology offered by KVE Composites Group allows the most efficient designs, balancing ease of manufacturing and assembly with high quality CF RTL structures.

The availability of KVE Induct® opens up the possibility to manufacture your large, complex component by assembling many simple and small parts.

Please contact us for more information on the induction welding technology.